University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Connecticut
Baseball Defeats UConn 11-3
April 17, 2001 | Baseball
April 17, 2001
AMHERST, Mass. -- Senior outfielder Gavin Clark (Springfield, Mass.) hit a grand slam for his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh as the University of Massachusetts baseball team defeated the University of Connecticut, 11-3, this afternoon at Earl Lorden Field. UMass improves to 11-12, while UConn falls to 18-17.
Senior righty David Loonie (Longmeadow, Mass.) earned the win for UMass to improve to 1-2 as he pitched seven innings allowing two runs with one earned on five hits and striking out three. UConn's Paul Melzen received the loss.
After a scoreless top of the first, UMass scored a run in the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third UMass increased its lead to 3-0 as junior outfielder Connell Clark (Springfield, Mass.) doubled in sophomore second baseman Sean Sarno (Stoneham, Mass.), then senior designated hitter Nick Gorneault (Springfield, Mass.) singled in Clark.
In the top of the fifth the Huskies scored a run on a solo homer by Mike Mocerino to make the score 3-1, but UMass answered back when Gorneault singled to left field driving in Sarno to increase the lead to 4-1. In the top of the sixth UConn scored to cut the lead to 4-2.
Gavin Clark's grand slam in the bottom of the seventh drove in junior third baseman Aaron Senez (Springfield, Mass.), sophomore first baseman Jeff Altieri (Whitinsville, Mass.) and Connell Clark to increase the lead to 8-2. After UConn scored once in the top of the eighth, UMass answered with three in the bottom of the eighth for an 11-3 lead. Freshman righty Eric Chown (Fall River, Mass.) shut down UConn the rest of the way.
The Minutemen return to action on Wednesday, April 18, when they host Northeastern at Earl Lorden Field at 3:00 p.m.
UMass 11, UConn 3
UConn (18-17) 000 011 010 -- 3 7 4
UMass (11-12) 102 010 43x -- 11 12 2
UM: David Loonie, Eric Chown (8) and Tom Ellerbrook.
UConn: Paul Melzen, Chris DeBrisco (5), Jonas Swyer (8) and Mike Leonard.
Win: Loonie (1-2), Loss: Melzen (0-1), Save: None.
HR: Mike Mocerino (UConn-2), Gavin Clark (UM-7).
